[U.S. OPEN CUP] The 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup kicks off May 7. The 2013 tournament will feature 68 teams -- up from the 64 that competed
last year -- and offer increased prize money.
The champion will earn $250,000 (up from $100,000 in recent years), the runner-up will receive $60,000 (up from $50,000) and the team that
advances the furthest from each lower division will win $15,000 (up from $10,000).
This year also marks the second-consecutive year in which all U.S.-based Division I, II and III teams
will participate in the tournament proper: 16 from Major League Soccer, six from the North American Soccer League and 12 from USL PRO.
Another significant change for 2013: the hosts of
the final three matches will be determined by a coin flip as opposed to by a sealed-bid process.
Beyond the Division I, II, and III teams, the remaining 34 spots in the tournament field
will be filled by amateur teams from the Adult Council category: PDL (16), NPSL (8), USASA (8), U.S. Club Soccer (1) and USSSA (1).
U.S. OPEN CUP:
May 7: Play-In Round
May 14: First Round
May 21: Second Round
May 28: Third Round
June 12: Fourth Round
June 26:
Quarterfinals
Aug. 7 or 21: Semifinals
Oct. 1 or 2: Final



Doug Martin


